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24 Oct 2013, 12:04

Hi,

I am interested in a consulting role after my MBA. I would like to work as a consultant in the healthcare industry. Do any of the major firms allow you to go in to specific industries right after school, or do most require you to be a generalist at first?

I've read that Accenture allows for people to focus on industries and functions. Does anyone else?

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25 Oct 2013, 13:49

Bucket1518 wrote:

Hi,

I am interested in a consulting role after my MBA. I would like to work as a consultant in the healthcare industry. Do any of the major firms allow you to go in to specific industries right after school, or do most require you to be a generalist at first?

I've read that Accenture allows for people to focus on industries and functions. Does anyone else?

You're right about Accenture, and I'd say that most major firms are similar. Some entry-level analysts (straight from undergrad) are required to be a "generalist," but beyond that level consulting firms want individuals who are specialized in a certain function or industry. All the MBA hires I know (at a variety of major firms) had to specialize. If you don't have any background in the healthcare industry, it may be more difficult to get a consultant position in that area. However, firms may not require as much experience for MBA hires - unlike for managers / senior managers / partners.

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25 Oct 2013, 14:11

missxmelon wrote:

You're right about Accenture, and I'd say that most major firms are similar. Some entry-level analysts (straight from undergrad) are required to be a "generalist," but beyond that level consulting firms want individuals who are specialized in a certain function or industry. All the MBA hires I know (at a variety of major firms) had to specialize. If you don't have any background in the healthcare industry, it may be more difficult to get a consultant position in that area. However, firms may not require as much experience for MBA hires - unlike for managers / senior managers / partners.

Thanks for the feedback. I currently work in the healthcare industry (government side), so I was hoping to leverage this experience in a consulting role. I've also done some research on Booz in the last few days, and it seems like that would be a good fit for me and my healthcare related goals, in addition to Accenture.

I talked to a few friends that interned at MBB firms over the summer, and they made sound like those firms take a more generalist tract. But I could be completely mistaken. That's why I'm reaching out for advice.

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26 Oct 2013, 12:51

Bucket1518 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. I currently work in the healthcare industry (government side), so I was hoping to leverage this experience in a consulting role. I've also done some research on Booz in the last few days, and it seems like that would be a good fit for me and my healthcare related goals, in addition to Accenture.

I talked to a few friends that interned at MBB firms over the summer, and they made sound like those firms take a more generalist tract. But I could be completely mistaken. That's why I'm reaching out for advice.

That's great that you're already working in the healthcare industry. You won't have any problems specializing in it then at a consulting firm. Just make sure that the firm you're looking at has a practice in the healthcare industry (which most of the major firms do).

MBB could definitely have a more generalist tract, since they focus on strategy and not implementation.

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08 Dec 2013, 10:21

Bucket1518 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. I currently work in the healthcare industry (government side), so I was hoping to leverage this experience in a consulting role. I've also done some research on Booz in the last few days, and it seems like that would be a good fit for me and my healthcare related goals, in addition to Accenture.

I talked to a few friends that interned at MBB firms over the summer, and they made sound like those firms take a more generalist tract. But I could be completely mistaken. That's why I'm reaching out for advice.

McK (don't know about the others) has a healthcare practice and its definitely possible to apply straight to a position focused on the industry although it is generally more difficult - mainly because there also has to be a need at the office you're applying to. Given your previous experience, the more specialized industry knowledge is less of a concern. I've known people who started on the expert track (industry focused) and others who started on the generalist track and switched within 6 months. Generally if you can make the case to change tracks, then its possible

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23 Jan 2014, 18:52

My dear, as you specified Accenture is a good organization that provides products or niche specific management training courses; apart from this one, you may contact BMGI also; it is a global consulting firm with specializing in management consulting customized solutions in strategy, problem solving, business transformation and innovation.

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17 Feb 2014, 16:07

Glad you found those two (Accenture and Booz), they would have been my recommendations. It feels to me like most firms recruit generalists, but Accenture has a separate application stream for its Health and Public Service practice, and Booz asks you to select an industry or functional practice during the recruiting process. I also recruited with McKinsey, BCG, and Deloitte but they were generalist streams (although McK has a seperate business technology practice application stream).